Cycling team launched

Manama : Bahrain yesterday announced the creation of a new cycling team, which would reportedly have Vincenzo Nibali as its marquee rider. 

This was revealed by HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majesty the King for Charity Works and Youth Affairs, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports and President of Bahrain Olympic Committee. 

Shaikh Nasser also took to Instagram to unveil the team’s logo and said, “Bahrain Cycling Team will inspire, race hard, and look elegant.”

The team, according to reports, would likely have 2016 Giro d’Italia winner Vincenzo Nibali for its debut in 2017 season and would attempt to secure a WorldTour licence. Nibali currently races for Astana. 

According to Cycling Weekly, the 2016 Giro d’Italia winner will take along Astana teammates Alessandro Vanotti and Valerio Agnoli, masseur Michele Pallini, trainer Paolo Slongo and team manager Giuseppe Martinelli to the Bahrain squad.

Commenting on the move, Shaikh Nasser said, “Bahrain has become the home of the Triathlon and Motorsport in the Middle East. The formation of the team will definitely further enable the Kingdom to become the home of cycling in the region as well as representing a great leap in line with its 2030 vision.”

While confirming that the team will soon make its debut on the international scene, Shaikh Nasser said, “We hope to begin achieving positive results as this will be a morale boost for the team and will help the team gain more experience for coming competitions.”

“The cycling races have become amongst the most important events in the Kingdom of Bahrain with many Bahraini youths and residents as well as many from outside the Kingdom have shown their keenness to participate in them. And this goes in line with our strategy and goals behind the formation of this team, as this will encourage many to practice this sport daily,” he affirmed. 

The Bahrain team reportedly is set to have a budget of around £11.5 to £13.7 million (€15 to €18m).